Windburn: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Spending time outdoors is good for your physical and mental health. But sometimes, the great outdoors isn’t so kind to your skin. The elements — especially wind and sun — can take a toll on your skin’s health. 

Most people know that getting too much sun can lead to sunburn. But not everyone is aware that windy conditions can lead to a similar condition, called windburn. Windburn can also make you more prone to sunburn, even in less than sunny conditions.

Windburn can damage your skin — and it’s painful. Here’s how you can treat windburn and avoid it the next time you’re outdoors.

What is windburn?

Windburn is a condition that affects the skin. It can develop when you’re exposed to windy conditions. Windburn tends to develop on the hands, lips, ears, and face — because these areas are often exposed when you’re outdoors. 

The top layer of the skin is called the stratum cornea. It’s the body’s first layer of defense against the outside world. And, while it’s tough, it’s not indestructible. When exposed to windy conditions, it can start to dry out and crack in as little as 15 minutes. 

What are the symptoms of windburn?

The classic symptoms of windburn include: 

• Skin redness

• Chapped skin

• Skin pain or burning

• A feeling of tightness in the skin

• Skin peeling

Common causes of windburn

You can develop windburn after engaging in activities that take place in the snow or on the water. Activities that put you at higher risk for windburn include:

• Mountain climbing

• Sledding

• Skiing 

• Snowboarding

• Sailing

• Jet skiing

• Surfing

• Cycling 

How does windburn differ from sunburn?

Windburn looks and feels a lot like sunburn. In fact, some experts argue that windburn and sunburn are the same thing. As they see it, windburn tends to happen on cool and sunny days. People may not expect to get a sunburn because it doesn't feel hot outside. The cool temperature (often from wind) makes them underestimate the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light. But the UV light is still there and can burn the skin. 

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Similarly, people may not realize that they can still get a sunburn on a cloudy day. So people may end up thinking their skin changes are because of wind instead of UV rays. 

In a study from the 1930s, two scientists demonstrated that wind alone doesn’t cause windburn symptoms. It’s not until you add UV light to the mix that you start to see skin changes.

Snow, ice, and water reflect 80% of UV rays. So, doing any activity on water or snow can double the risk of getting sunburned. Also, UV rays are more powerful at higher altitudes. This also adds to the argument that it’s not the wind that damages skin but rather the UV rays from the sun.

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But other experts maintain that windburn and sunburn aren’t exactly the same conditions. These experts believe that windy conditions damage the stratum corneum (the skin’s top layer). This, in turn, makes skin more vulnerable to damage from UV light. So, the wind alone might not cause the symptoms. But it makes the skin more likely to develop sunburn. And this leads to windburn symptoms. 

The debate continues. But these facts remain: 

• Windburn and sunburn look and feel similar.

• Windburn and sunburn both cause skin damage.

• The same conditions that put you at risk for windburn also put you at risk for sunburn.

How do you treat windburn?

There’s no quick cure for windburn, but it should get better within a few days. If your symptoms aren’t better after 3 to 5 days, it’s time to see a healthcare professional to make sure your skin changes aren’t from something else. 

In the meantime, here are steps you can take to help your skin heal and relieve your discomfort.

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

A thick moisturizer is essential for windburn treatment. A damaged stratum corneum can’t hold onto water the way it should. Moisturizer helps replace the moisture that your skin loses in windy conditions. It also locks natural moisture in place, effectively replacing your stratum corneum until your skin has time to heal. Make sure to apply moisturizer a few times a day. 

Choose a cream or ointment that’s fragrance- and dye-free. For your lips, stick with a petroleum-based ointment like Vaseline or Aquaphor. You can also try aloe vera, coconut oil, or colloidal oatmeal. These products can help soothe skin irritation, and many people use them to help with sunburn pain. So, if windburn and sunburn are the same, these products may help you feel better. 

2. Try a cool compress

A cool compress can help soothe pain from windburn. You can apply a cool compress for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day. Make sure not to apply ice directly to your skin as that can lead to more skin damage and irritation.

For bathing, keep showers short and lukewarm until your skin heals. Hot water can irritate your skin even more. Long showers or baths can also suck more moisture out of your skin, making your symptoms worse. 

3. Take an over-the-counter pain medication

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) can relieve pain and discomfort from windburn. You can start with the lowest recommended doses and see if they bring you relief. If you have certain medical conditions or take certain medications, either Tylenol or Motrin may be a better option for you. A healthcare professional can help you decide which option is right for you. 

Stay inside

If you develop windburn during cold months, it’s a good idea to stay indoors as much as possible until your skin heals. Even a short amount of time in cold, windy weather can aggravate your windburn and make it harder for your skin to heal. It’s also a good idea to use a humidifier, which will add extra moisture to the air and protect your skin from drying out. 

Try to hold off on any activities that can trigger windburn, like snow or water sports, until you’re fully recovered. Windburned skin is more vulnerable to additional damage from wind and sun. Additional injuries will make your healing processes longer and potentially more painful. 

How do you prevent windburn?

Whether you live in an area with cold winters, or spend a lot of time in the snow or on the water, you need to know how to protect your skin from windburn and sunburn. The following tips can help prevent windburn from happening in the first place. 

Use gentle cleansing products

The right skin care routine can keep your skin healthy and strong. Keeping the top layer of skin intact allows it to stand up better to wind, UV light, and other things that would otherwise cause damage. Choose cleansers without fragrance or dye. Try to look for labels that say “hypoallergenic” too.

These experts believe that windy conditions damage the stratum corneum (the skin’s top layer). This in turn makes skin more vulnerable to damage from UV light.

Avoid exfoliants

If you know you’re going to be in conditions that increase your chance of getting windburn, it’s best to avoid exfoliating products. These include physical exfoliants like scrubs and chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). 

Exfoliants peel off dead cells on your skin’s top layer, and they’re important for skin care. But they also cause the top layer of your skin to regenerate. In the process, it can become thin. When you’re at risk for windburn, you want your stratum corneum to be thick. So, it’s best to avoid exfoliants for a few weeks. 

Use a thick moisturizer 

Apply a thick moisturizer whenever you’re going to be in conditions that increase your chances for developing windburn. Look for a thick, fragrance-free cream (as opposed to a lightweight lotion). Look for a lotion that contains ceramides. Ceramides help build the natural oil barrier across your skin, making it less likely to dry out.

Apply petroleum-based ointment over your moisturizer

Before going outside, you can apply a petroleum-based ointment over your moisturizer for extra protection. Apply your ointment to your lips too, and take your ointment with you for reapplication while you’re outdoors.

Wear sunscreen

UV rays can penetrate your skin and cause damage, even on cloudy or overcast days. So, even in the winter, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin if you’re going to be outdoors. Plus, if windburn and sunburn are the same thing, wearing sunscreen will prevent you from getting windburn. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that contains a minimum of SPF 30. And remember to reapply it at least every 2 hours. 

Cover your skin

Try to wear skin-protective clothing as much as possible when you’re in windy conditions or doing activities that increase your risk for windburn. 

If you’re in snowy conditions, you can use face protection that covers your lips, face, and ears. It’s also a good idea to use goggles to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis).

For water sports and cycling, adding on extra layers may not be an option. So make sure to focus on your other steps and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. 

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Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles and given 20 scientific presentations.

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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